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Riquelme, speaking to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, said: 'The only thing I regret in my career was a decision that I took, when at the hotel in England before the semi-final with Arsenal, when Manchester United came to buy me and I said no.

'I stayed at Villarreal, because I was very comfortable with my team-mates.'

Ferguson switched his attention to Tottenham's Michael Carrick following Riquelme's refusal to join his side.

Riquelme, on the other hand, left Villarreal on a permanent basis to seal a return to Boca Juniors in 2008 following a loan spell at the Argentine outfit.

He retired in 2014 after an 18-year career as a professional footballer.

Riquelme watches on as Lionel Messi and Anderson scrap during a 2010 World Cup qualifying match

Manchester United switched their attention to Michael Carrick (pictured at Silverstone) after Riquelme's snub